Why You Should Seriously Beware of AI Headshots
First of all, the above headshot is NOT AI.
Now, let’s talk about something kind of creepy: AI-generated headshots. You know the ones. They look like a normal person—clean background, professional smile, just enough Photoshop to feel “polished”—but something feels... off. Maybe it’s the weirdly perfect hairline. Maybe it’s the eyes that don’t quite match. Or maybe it’s the subtle sense that this person has never actually blinked in their life.
Here’s the deal: AI headshots are getting really good. Like, scary good. But just because we can generate flawless, photorealistic faces out of thin digital air doesn’t mean we should trust them.
Here’s why you should be skeptical when you see that too-perfect headshot:
1. That Person Might Not Exist at All
First off, let’s state the obvious: AI headshots often depict people who are completely fake. Like, literally made up. These faces aren’t models or stock photo actors. They’re Frankenstein-like mashups of real human features pulled from datasets, stitched together by a machine that’s learned what a “good face” looks like.
So if someone’s using an AI headshot on LinkedIn, Twitter, or a company “About Us” page, ask yourself: why? Why not just use a real photo? What are they trying to hide? (Spoiler: it’s probably not great.)
2. There’s No Easy Way to Tell
Here’s the scary part: spotting an AI headshot used to be easy. You’d look at the background (usually weird and melty), or notice mismatched earrings, or spot asymmetrical eyes that made the person look like they were glitching out of The Matrix.
Now? Not so much.
Modern AI headshots are getting better at symmetry, lighting, and even emotion. Some even come with subtle imperfections to make them look more real. Unless you’re trained to look for tells (weird teeth, unnatural bokeh, hands that don’t quite exist), it’s tough to be sure.
3. It Undermines Trust—Fast
Online trust is already fragile. We second-guess every DM. We double-check every email. We Google people before responding. AI headshots add another layer of “who even are you?”
And if you’re using one? Just know it could backfire. Fast. The moment someone realizes your profile pic isn’t actually you—or worse, isn’t anyone—they’re going to assume the worst. Even if your intentions were harmless, it screams “I’m hiding something.”
4. It’s Messing With Our Sense of Reality
This one’s more existential, but stick with me. The more we see fake people blended into real digital spaces, the more our brains start to blur the line. Who’s a real expert? Who’s a real coworker? Who’s real, period?
It’s not just about trust anymore—it’s about what happens when we start losing our grip on reality, one perfect smile at a time.
So What Do We Do?
Honestly? Just be skeptical. If you come across a headshot that looks a little too polished—run a reverse image search, check their online footprint, ask yourself if this person seems real.
And if you’re tempted to use an AI-generated photo for yourself? Maybe... don’t. Use your real face. Flaws and all. It's more trustworthy—and trust is everything these days.